PAPATOETOE BOROUGH.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 771, 29 September 1922, Page 5

PAPATOETOE BOROUGH.

ECONOMICAL WORKING OF DISTRICT, LOAN FOR PLANT THE ALTERNATIVE. TWO ISSUES BEFORE THE RATEPAYERS. “As a result of a (resolution carried unanimously by the ratepayers two years . ago. your Board took the preliminary steps in connection with the formation of a Borough,” said Mr A. Hall (chairman of tne Papatoetoe Town Board at a meeting of residents on Monday night. Thq| petition asking that a Borough be fcfrmed/ had been sent to Wellington and they hoped that the Commission would sit before long. While he thought that no doubt a large majority of the public were in favour of the formation of a Borough thelre had been a certain amount of opposition, some of which came from unexpected quarters. They coiiid understand the point of view of those who held land just outside the present area and who wanted all the advantage of living close to Papatoetoe without paying for the privilege ; but 'they could not see why the Borough scheme was opposed by any inside ithe present Town Board district, who )ia;di everything to gain and nothing to lose by bringing in a numbdr, wuo in all fairness should contribute bo the upkeep of the roads. Need of Reading Plant. In regard to the future the retiring (Town Board had no hesitation in staling most emphatically that whether a Borough was formed or not, it was necessary for the economical working of the district to purchase plant and materials. They had a quabry of five acres of practically solid metal, but without more up-to-date methods it was impossible to work it, An air drill and small engine were necessary and probably more [rails and trucks. It would also be advisable to have a Mone* crusher aqcK a rdller and scarifier were essential for road formation. The roller would also supply the power .for working the stone cnisher; If thelre was no chance of a Borough being formed within a reasonable time* the- new Board would be well advised 'to go into the cost of these things, and ask the (ratepayers to sanction a 'loan for the purchase of them. Purchase of Recreation Ground. The new Board would also have to make the necessary financial arrangements for taking over the recreation ground in November next. The cost of this 10 acre block would be only £6OO, so that it should be safe to assume tthat the ratepayers would not refuse to sanction 1 , a loan foil the purpose. A recommendation was passed for the incoming Board to consider the question of securing extra (land for the recreaion ground, and the advocacy of obtaining access to it by means of 'Wentworth Avenue. That would make it much more central. Station Road Footpath, The" retiring Board was of opinion that the footpath on Station Road from the school to Landon’s corner should be tarred 1 and shelled this summer, and also from Landon’s corner to Park Avenue. ht was a road that was used more or less by nearly all the ratepayers, and ve*ty largely by school children. The drainage of Winters Estate was a matter that would have to be attended to. and the .fact of the outlet being outdide the Town Board’s jurisdiction maidle it a difficult matter. No arrangement had been arrived at with the Manukau County Council. Nothing permanent corjld be done on the roads until the Board had, a scarifier and roller and could cVush their own metal. In the meantime it was only possible do patch the roads with scoria,. Health Matters and Sanitation. The recent change in the administration of health regulations had placed in the hands of the Uocal bodies the responsibility of looking after thir own districts. The Papatoetoe jTown Board was responsible for the whole of the old road! district and part qf -East Tamaki. They regretted tha/t they had been unable to make any satisfactory arrangements in regard to a sanitary depot, but it was ve*y difficult to lease a suitable piece of land for the purpose so long as another local body had the power to prevent (them from carting to it, Regarding electric lighting, the chairman of the Electric Power Board had assured the Town Board that as soon as |Hora Hora power was available the district would be supplied.